Good point but it would be unethical to disclose a conversation without the consent of another party.

exactly

What happens if someone just wants to keep themselves private?

I'm sorry, but I've not seen Finkleroy acting on forum in a way you say he did in private messages. They've put a huge amount of time and effort into running those giveaways. Without proof, you are acting like entitled person. You yourself admitted the only thing you're interested in is access to free games.

Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm tag :)
I just want to say, that we are no judges and should not be involved in such matters.

Here, Here.

Because I asked for an apology, that is the honest reason.

Besides, if you claim people are fallible, then could Finkleroy be fallible too? Normally reliable but very much in the wrong on this one issue? I would be glad to provide any proof required.

I see alot of contradiction on your post. Again I know no one to go to for mediation, AFAIK Finkleroy is the one and only person with all the power/decision making of the give-away. So what stop Frinkleroy from theoretically going mad and abusing that power alot? The community. If Finkleroy was playing favorites and stealing all the keys for themselves etc. the community would stop giving Fink keys and Fink would no longer be in charge of the give-away. I am not expecting that for this case.

But you say "mediator" well the mediator is the community. Those who give Finkleroy keys to hand out are the only ones who have any say in the matter other than Finkleroy. So it makes logical sense to treat said community as one mediator. Not to force Finkleroy, but to convince Fink to listen. To be open minded that something went wrong here.

I hear your judgemental advice about how I should have posted this. If only you had given that advice before me posting this, I might have taken it. Of course that begs the question how I'd have gotten your wise advice in the first place.

Let's say that your advice of vaguely asking for people to convince Finkleroy to resume contact with me regarding the ban was vastly superior to telling the community what happened and trying to get their help to convince Finkleroy. Well congratz on being so much wiser and smarter than me. But wouldn't that mean I am fallible then? That I didn't perfectly handle a difficult situation like you would have? So if people are fallible, and thus should be allowed allowances for such, then perhaps don't declare it a "burnt bridge" because I didn't do it perfectly like you?

If you got advice for me, give it to me now. Perhaps even in private, if "privacy" is so important. My private message is open to anyone to talk with me and give me advice.

That doesn't make sense. First I am getting it from both sides, people saying that it's a private issue that shouldn't have been put in public and saying I should provide proof somehow, which would require "airing" even more of the "private issue". Also let's say I was lying through my teeth, that still wouldn't make me an "entitled person", that doesn't make any sense.

"Only"? What are the pure grand motives of everyone else participating in the give-away other than giving and getting free games? Stop trying to paint me evil, especially using such absurd logic.

And as mentioned before, I have given away many games for free, most all of which with high ratings. Not because I wanted something in return either.(something I won't be able to do now here if I'm banned) So how about you watch yourself with your nonsensical judgemental finger waving.

OP, the point is this...

Finkleroy does you -- and us -- a service. This is not his job; Finkleroy sacrifices his own time and energy to provide this service. Respect that.

If Finkleroy wants to change rules midway through (not saying he did that here), sobeit. He runs this service. That's his prerogative.

If you take issue, bring it to Finkleroy in private and hash things out. Screaming in public to try and steer opinion (and get your way through public pressure) is childish and shows a lack of honor and respect.

If you cannot stand the way Finkleroy makes you feel -- since you claim he disrespected you -- the answer is simple:

make your own community giveaway.

why would you want to do that?

To OP: I would recommend to ask GOG mods to destroy that thread, then sleep over and start a new thread with a fresh mind, be as neutral as possible and probably think over your adamant position about apology request, maybe provide an apology on your behalf as well if you are really into that thing. The more you say the worse it looks.
He was banned from chat with Finkleroy.

Kai2 you talk like someone who's not read any of the thread or given any thought at all to your post.

You got me, I took your words half-seriously to be honest. Let's imagine I double sarcasm you instead ;)

Yes. And there was a reason for that

In my experience people who air private interactions in public are manipulating the sitiuation.

I echo what paladin181 and Cadaver747 said. You should have gotten one of Finkleroy's friends or a mod to help you contact him and appeal the ban. I'm assuming you have enough sense to not post screencaps of private conversations but I also trust Finkleroy wouldn't ban anyone without cause. Given you know that you couldn't provide proof, why did you start this thread at all?